RAISING HER VOICE

When Lauren Jelencovich made People magazine's list of the "Beauties on Your Block," part of the magazine's annual "50 Most Beautiful People" issue, it was just one more break for the young singer from Wellington.

The magazine was looking for everyday people with big hearts, a People spokesperson said, and asked readers to nominate them on its Web site.

Kellie Jelencovich, 15, who lives in Wellington with her parents, Linda and Dario Jelencovich, immediately thought of her 20-year-old sister. She entered her and wasn't surprised when Lauren made the cut, she said.

"She inspires people with her musical gifts," she said.

Jelencovich, who is studying music in New York, says their family and friends have been excited, and the phone has been ringing off the hook since her photo appeared in People on May 9. "It's been a lot of fun," she said.

Shortly afterward, she was riding on a subway and a woman was reading the magazine. "I see her look up," Jelencovich said, and the woman said, "That's you, that's you."

It may have been her first brush with fame, but Jelencovich is far from the ordinary girl next door. She captured the grand prize on Ed McMahon's Next Big Star at 17. Since then, she has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the MGM Grand Las Vegas.

This summer, her parents said she's on tour with the nonprofit organization International Vocal Arts Institute, founded by Metropolitan Opera officials to train talented young opera singers, according to its Web site. She has performed in Montreal and was scheduled to be in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with shows planned in Burgundy, France, and Tel Aviv, Israel.

Jelencovich is still reveling in the thrill of performing for operatic singer Andrea Bocelli. She sang The Prayer, the duet he recorded with Celine Dion.

"I was standing 10 feet from him. He was mouthing every word as I sang it. It was surreal," she said.

Jelencovich was awarded the National Italian Federation's Andrea Bocelli Scholarship. She met John Salamone, the federation's national executive director, at another organization they are both involved in, the Sovereign Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, when she sang at his installation.

"This is a program for young people who are conscious of the needs of others and especially have a commitment to the sick and poor," said Suzanne Turner, commander in Washington and the former commander in West Palm Beach.

Salamone is a friend of Bocelli's and arranged for Jelencovich to sing for him at a private event in Los Angeles.

"She's an incredibly talented young lady, and because of that we were pleased to provide an opportunity for her to sing for one of the world's great tenors," he said.

When she isn't on the road, Jelencovich is a junior majoring in vocal performance at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. She sings opera, light pop and musical theater.

Maitland Peters, chairman of the voice department, has been giving her vocal lessons for more than two years and has high praise for her and her talent.

"There are a lot of amazing voices, but when you combine a striking personality with it, that is exceptional. She is also very nice," he said.

Jelencovich was selected to be part of the school's Educational Outreach Program, the first time an undergraduate has been chosen, he said. She performed a one-woman show based on her life at the Children's Storefront School in Harlem.

"I had a wonderful time singing for the kids. I love kids and I love to do it," she said.

Linda Jelencovich said Lauren began singing when she was 2 and started taking voice lessons when she was 13.

"I'm just her mom, but we try to guide her when she has to make big decisions," she said.

Jelencovich says she's lucky to have such supportive parents. "That's not very common in this business," she says.

She and her sister Kellie talk every day. "We are best friends," she said.

Tim Byrd, a personality on radio station Sunny 104.3 FM in West Palm Beach, first heard Jelencovich sing at a local fair.

"I've been in the radio and broadcast TV for 30 years, and I have an excellent ear for picking hits," he said. "I can't say enough good things ... she is a rare find."

Jelencovich says everyone is telling her she will have to choose among her three musical loves, but she is hoping she can work in all of them.

"Every song I sing I love, and I'll just keep going and stick to what I believe," she said.